The Atlanta Falcons have arrived in Madrid, Spain for their Week 9 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. The team held a brief walkthrough on Wednesday morning and released a simulated injury report shortly after. Edge rusher James Pearce Jr. was listed as a full participant for the first time all season.
Pearce, who was suspended for the first eight games for his violation of the NFL's personal conduct policy, is expected to make his 2026 debut this Sunday against the Bengals. The Defensive Rookie of the Year finalist led all rookies in sacks with 10.5 last season.
Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said Pearce was in good shape and that the team would monitor him this week to determine how much the second-year edge rusher would play against
Cincinnati.
"Asked about Pearce, Stefanski said the Falcons are pleased with where he is in terms of being football ready," wrote team reporter Tori McElhaney. "He's been working out with the Falcons strength staff for the last month, per his suspension rules. That said, Stefanski added the Falcons will use the rest of this week to determine how many snaps Pearce gets this Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals."
Wide receiver Zachariah Branch sat out as expected with a hamstring injury. Stefanski has already ruled the rookie return man out for Sunday's game. Branch was the only player to log a "DNP" on Wednesday, though.
Linebacker Divine Deablo, running back Brian Robinson Jr. and LB Yasir Abdullah (designated to return from IR) were limited participants to begin Week 9. Defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. was a full participant.
Check out the Falcons' full estimated Wednesday injury report below, and come back for updates from Cincinnati's practice report this afternoon.
Falcons Week 9 injury report (estimated): Wednesday updates
- WR Zachariah Branch (hamstring): DNP/OUT
- LB Divine Deablo (forearm): LP
- LB Yasir Abdullah (hamstring): LP
- RB Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring): LP
- DB Billy Bowman Jr. (hamstring): FP
- WR Beaux Collins (hip): FP
- DE James Pearce Jr. (not injury related): FP
- OT Cameron Williams (ankle): FP
Sunday's game kicks off at 9:30 a.m. ET.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons Week 9 injury report: Latest on James Pearce, Divine Deablo
